2011-2012 NHL Thread

[BlueWhiteBlood]

He never actually played for us so I didn't want to make a thread in the ex-Leafs section, but Jimmy Hayes just scored for Chicago.  Pretty nice start to his career.  That gives him 4 goals and 2 assists in his first 9.5 games thus far.

Chicago's putting the beat down on the Sabres, putting their playoff hopes on life support.

I believe some of us stated at the beginning of the season, that Buffalo wasn't going to be as good as others thought. They are proving that you can't just throw money at a team and expect that everything is going to be better.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

He never actually played for us so I didn't want to make a thread in the ex-Leafs section, but Jimmy Hayes just scored for Chicago.  Pretty nice start to his career.  That gives him 4 goals and 2 assists in his first 9.5 games thus far.

Chicago's putting the beat down on the Sabres, putting their playoff hopes on life support.

I believe some of us stated at the beginning of the season, that Buffalo wasn't going to be as good as others thought. They are proving that you can't just throw money at a team and expect that everything is going to be better.

Its just funny that with the signing bonus Ernhoff is making 10 million dollars this season

 

[Peter D.]

I believe some of us stated at the beginning of the season, that Buffalo wasn't going to be as good as others thought. They are proving that you can't just throw money at a team and expect that everything is going to be better.

Maybe the worst thing that happened was Regier all of a sudden having a blank cheque to work with.  He has done a pretty good job of building through the draft as the team had to since they were never able to go out and sign big-ticket free agents.  All of a sudden he is given loads of cash and signs anyone he could, but that's not the way to build a contender (the Rangers a perfect example).

Perhaps the best route was to continue to emphasize building through the draft and using Pegula's money to actually retain their talent (ie. Drury and Briere) and sprinkling in the odd free agent here or there.  Now they are saddled with some pretty bad contracts (Ehrhoff and Leino) and are worse off than before when they were a budget team.

Not that I'm complaining as a) they are a division rival; and b) they are the team I hate most, but it's an observation.

With that, it has got me thinking about a GM like Poile.  Many, self-included, have mentioned him as a possible Leaf GM when the position has come up.  "If he can get the results in Nashville on a shoe-string budget, imagine what he could do with all the money in the world at his disposal?"  His drafting is very good.  If he was faced with extra cash at his disposal, would it deviate from how he built a team?  It's intriguing to think about.

 

[Kin]

I believe some of us stated at the beginning of the season, that Buffalo wasn't going to be as good as others thought. They are proving that you can't just throw money at a team and expect that everything is going to be better.

I think if you'd look at pre-season predictions you'd see a wide range of missed calls about just about everything. I think those, like Buffalo, are a testament more to the unpredictability of the league and in particular goaltending.

I mean, really, what's the cause of Buffalo's struggles? That Leino hasn't been very good? Or that Miller hasn't?

 

[bustaheims]

I believe some of us stated at the beginning of the season, that Buffalo wasn't going to be as good as others thought. They are proving that you can't just throw money at a team and expect that everything is going to be better.

I definitely called Buffalo out, expecting them to be the biggest disappointment in the league. Looks like I was probably right.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I believe some of us stated at the beginning of the season, that Buffalo wasn't going to be as good as others thought. They are proving that you can't just throw money at a team and expect that everything is going to be better.

I definitely called Buffalo out, expecting them to be the biggest disappointment in the league. Looks like I was probably right.

Which is why I quoted you. I haven't looked back, like Nik did, but I specifically remembered you stating as much.

I mean, really, what's the cause of Buffalo's struggles? That Leino hasn't been very good? Or that Miller hasn't?

All of the above? I think I said that I didn't think they were going to be as good as a lot of people did, but that I also gave Miller credit for being as good as he normally is. I might have said something like "If Buffalo goes far, it will be more about Miller, than the free agents or money that they are throwing around".

 

[Corn Flake]

I'm trying to think of the last team with a relatively small budget that suddenly got big $, going out and buying up UFA's and actually getting better as a result. 

These things almost always backfire, or at least never work out as expected.  The team, fans and media all drool over the acquisitions as if this team is now vaulted

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I'm trying to think of the last team with a relatively small budget that suddenly got big $, going out and buying up UFA's and actually getting better as a result. 

These things almost always backfire, or at least never work out as expected.  The team, fans and media all drool over the acquisitions as if this team is now vaulted

Most people thought that Washington was most improved, making a few changes in key areas. We could say that by their record, it hasn't worked out for them so well either, but I still think that they will be better in the playoffs this year, than they were last year.

As far as Buffalo is concerned, I suppose it could have worked out for them, but everything they did would have to have gone right. So far, I think Ehrhoff is working out, but Leino and Regher, not so much IMO. I would have not predicted Miller having such a poor year though.

 

[Kin]

All of the above? I think I said that I didn't think they were going to be as good as a lot of people did, but that I also gave Miller credit for being as good as he normally is.

That's my only point though. Obviously none of their FA signings look great right now but I think the people who were predicting good things for them were doing so less because of those signings than on the back of Miller.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Obviously none of their FA signings look great right now but I think the people who were predicting good things for them were doing so less because of those signings than on the back of Miller.

Maybe it was the timing of the comments and all, but I thought a lot of people were gushing about how awesome their off-season was. That could also be more people in the media, than specifically people on this site. I have since looked back, but only the Most improved thread that you had started. I think there was some talk in other threads, but I can't specifically remember where.

 

[Kin]

Obviously none of their FA signings look great right now but I think the people who were predicting good things for them were doing so less because of those signings than on the back of Miller.

Maybe it was the timing of the comments and all, but I thought a lot of people were gushing about how awesome their off-season was. That could also be more people in the media, than specifically people on this site. I have since looked back, but only the Most improved thread that you had started. I think there was some talk in other threads, but I can't specifically remember where.

Yeah, and even I cooled on their off-season to the point that in the predictions thread I had them at 8th. Even then, though, I just can't imagine anyone would look at Miller and see he'd have the season he had.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

So hang on a minute, without consistent, decent goaltending, this is what happens? 

 

[Bender]

Obviously none of their FA signings look great right now but I think the people who were predicting good things for them were doing so less because of those signings than on the back of Miller.

Maybe it was the timing of the comments and all, but I thought a lot of people were gushing about how awesome their off-season was. That could also be more people in the media, than specifically people on this site. I have since looked back, but only the Most improved thread that you had started. I think there was some talk in other threads, but I can't specifically remember where.

Yeah, and even I cooled on their off-season to the point that in the predictions thread I had them at 8th. Even then, though, I just can't imagine anyone would look at Miller and see he'd have the season he had.

At the same time they've still split their games playing Enroth, and Enroth's numbers look great. Would this not then come down to coaching? Ruff seems unwilling to ride his better goaltender in favour of trying to help Miller find his game again.

And I was also hearing quite a lot about Ehrhoff and Leino, many, many Sabres fans were beyond cocky in the offseason, especially since we took "Tiny Tim" off their hands.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

At the same time they've still split their games playing Enroth, and Enroth's numbers look great. Would this not then come down to coaching? Ruff seems unwilling to ride his better goaltender in favour of trying to help Miller find his game again.

Enroth's numbers looked great. He's really tailed off lately. 1 win in his last 12 starts. Allowed 3 or more goals in 8 of those games.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Ugh!  Taylor Hall's mighty lucky...after getting 'sliced' by a teammate's skate in practice....has vowed to wear a helmet during practice from now on....

 

[hockeyfan1]

Why goaltenders make a longer recovery after having been concussed...Re:  Leafs James Reimer, and Buffalo's Ryan Miller...

...what happens when that is short-circuited by a concussion (or, ahem, concussion-like symptoms)? Even if their recovery is no different medically, goaltenders might have a harder time coming back from a concussion than a skater because of the demands of their position, and they are harder to replace than a skater is. That strengthens the argument that the NHL should do more to protect them.

?My issue every time has been, it affects your focus and concentration,? Miller said. ?You feel like you have ADD. You feel like you have extreme ADD when you have the headaches and you have the uncomfortable ?off? feeling. I mean, I think history can kind of show I?m a very intense, focused person, and when I can?t even get through a 10-, 15-minute task at home, which I can usually sit down and do, something?s wrong

Reimer said he didn?t think he had any injured-related problems with his focus and concentration, but he could ?totally see how that would affect guys.? And he made a good point: There is the injury itself, and then there is a period of inactivity that follows it.

?Sometimes you?re ?off,? and is it because still there?s some lingering symptom or is it just because you?ve been off for so long and you?re just not quite back?? Reimer said. ?When I came back, as a goalie, that?s the toughest thing is being able to focus for 60 minutes ? or one of the key things. When you?re out, your brain relaxes, per se. Your brain needs to work out again so it can focus, just like your body needs to get back in shape.?

?Your brain controls everything ? your body and even emotions,? Miller said. ?You feel depressed. You feel like you can?t focus. And obviously if you go on the ice and try to play hockey at the highest level as a goaltender with pucks coming at you and trying to maintain awareness, read the plays, it?s definitely not a great situation.?

Consider, too, that goaltenders stay on the ice and have nowhere to hide. A skater takes 45-second shifts. If he has a bad shift, the puck might not end up in his net.

?A player, there is definitely a lot more of a leeway to easing yourself back in,? Reimer said. ?As a goalie, it?s just ??

?You?re thrown right back in the fire,? he said, ?and you?re either good or you?re not.?

?I think that goalies are getting run pretty often,? Reimer said. ?Obviously there?s lots of times where, why not bump him? You might not get a penalty, and even if you do, whoop-de-doo. Like Lucic on Miller. Why wouldn?t you bowl him over? What did he get? Two minutes? Two minutes, and Miller is out for how long and he?s still not the same? Why wouldn?t you as a player? You?d be dumb as a player not to.?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Ai5doZIcKu_Ej5b8G70JDGV7vLYF?slug=nc-3periods-maple-leafs-reimer-sabres-miller-011912

 

[4th Liner]

On a perusal of the NHL Standings a couple of things jump out at me:

1. There are 4 teams that seem statistically due for a fall
2. Two of those teams are in a dog-fight with the Leafs for the last playoff spot in the East

The four teams are NJ and Florida in the East, and LA and Colorado in the West - coincidentally they all are in battles for the last playoff spot in their conferences.

Both NJ and Colorado are gaining by being unbelievably hot in the Shoot-out - NJ is 8 -1 and the Avs are 7-0.

Florida and LA are gaining by virtue of the "Loser" points - Florida has 10 of them and LA the same.

It bodes well for the Leafs, as you have to figure both the Devils and Panthers are due to fall back to the mean at some point. At least we can hope they will!

EDIT: And the Cats lose to the Hawks 3-1 in Chicago - you think they might be in trouble? A quick check of their recent performance shows:
- they've lost 10 of their last 13 games (3-6-4, oh those "loser" points)
- they've lost 4 in a row, and 8 in a row on the road

I'll throw one more note out there, the Caps are still struggling mightily on the road, of all the playoff bubble teams they have (by far) the worst road record - 8-13-1. They are by no means a lock yet either. Although at this rate, all they need to do is finish ahead of the Panthers.

Should be a fun ride the rest of the way.

 

[groundskeeper willie]

Fantastic article by Friedman on the history of players production following big UFA paydays. It's always great as a fan in the summer to see your team get that big name, but Friedman shows it's far more likely to be a mistake than not.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2012/01/big-deals-dont-always-pay-big-dividends.html

 

[Kin]

Fantastic article by Friedman on the history of players production following big UFA paydays. It's always great as a fan in the summer to see your team get that big name, but Friedman shows it's far more likely to be a mistake than not.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2012/01/big-deals-dont-always-pay-big-dividends.html

It's probably a bit of an exaggeration to say that he concludes anything about whether those deals are "mistakes" and it doesn't claim to be particularly specific about that. It's just a measurement of scoring output.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Could be seeing a third straight 1st overall pick for the Oilers.